Abbot Point land dumping must be properly assessed!

The State government proposal to dump dredge spoil from Abbot Point onshore must undergo a full environmental impact assessment under the EPBC Act. Despite claims to the contrary, the area and the proposed action have not been considered in previous assessments relating to Abbot Point.

The area in which it is proposed to dump the spoil is part of a wetland of national importance and home to significant populations of listed species. It is also a fish nursery area and a filter for the GBR World Heritage Area.

While the move to avoid offshore dumping is good, we must not just see damage being transferred from one area to another.

The area in question is important to Australia for a number of reasons and it is essential that comprehensive and rigorous, open and transparent assessment is carried out.